Mission Store Opens With Flourish 1 Year After Fire

AROUND CENTRAL FLORIDA - BRIEFS

The Orlando Union Rescue Mission is planning a two-day grand opening on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 to show off its renovated bargain store.

The store, at 911 W. Central Blvd., was considered a total loss last year after an electrical short caused a fire that gutted the 16,500-square-foot building.

The mission, which reopened the store last month, timed its grand opening for the one-year anniversary of the Jan. 31 blaze, said mission director Don Moody.

The store, which sells donated clothing, furniture and appliances, was expanded by 6,000 square feet to include an elevator and processing center. Store proceeds, about $350,000 a year, are used to run the mission's two shelters for homeless families and single men.